BEST BOOKS FOR TODDLERS
Warning - destruction ahead!
When thinking about the best books for toddlers, it's handy to know exactly how they may be used; this age bracket adore books and language and as they are still learning the mechanics of how a book works they to use all their senses to ‘read’ a book; chewing and ripping may occur! Children who have experienced books from birth will start to now see the book as a complete package of meaning, entertainment and enjoyment. If they have seen reading modelled over and over, they may ‘read’ the books themselves and will most certainly demand books to be read over and over again (endlessly).
Of course, toddlers are also destructive little bunnies but do not let the possible destruction of books stop you from reading. This is the time get them hooked on books. For younger toddlers I think board books are a great option for unsupervised book time as they are relatively indestructible. However, board books should not make up the bulk of a book collection for this age group. Picture books which are rich in language and introduce young people to the mechanics of language and the absolute joy of story are all important. The social nature of reading comes into play around this time, as toddlers become aware of their peers and are able to engage in literacy opportunities in unstructured learning environments.
My list of ‘Best Books for Babies' is here.

'Family'
by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Jasmine Seymour

‘Respect’
by Aunty Fay Muir & Sue Lawson. Illustrated by Lisa Kennedy

'Busy Beaks'
by Sarah Allen

‘Wombat’
by Philip Bunting

'Not Cute'
by Philip Bunting

‘Hello Jimmy!’
by Anna Walker

'Sing Me the Summer'
by Jane Godwin. Illustrated by Alison Lester

‘We Love You, Magoo’
by Briony Stewart

'The Unwilling Twin'
by Freya Blackwood

‘Bear in Space’
by Deborah Abela. Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall

'I See, I See'
by Robert Henderson

‘A Quiet Girl’
by Peter Carnavas

‘All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors’
by Davina Bell. Illustrated by Jenny Lovlie

‘Argh! There’s a Skeleton Inside You!’
by Idan Ben-Barak. Illustrated by Julian Frost

‘No Place for an Octopus’
by Claire Zorn

‘Young Engineers’
by Andrew King. Illustrated by Benjamin Johnston

‘Goodnight, Little Tough Guy’
by Michael Wagner. Illustrated by Tom Jellett

‘Goodbye House, Hello House’
by Margaret Wild. Illustrated by Ann James

‘The Playground is Like a Jungle’
(and others in ‘Big Hugs’ series) by Shona Innes. Illustrated by Irisz Agocs

‘Dumazi and the Big Yellow Lion’
by Valanga Khoza. Illustrated by Matt Ottley

‘Possum and Wattle: My Big Book of Australian Words’
by Bronwyn Bancroft

'All the Ways to be Smart'
by Davina Bell & Allison Colpoys
'Watch This! A Book About Making Shapes'
by Jane Godwin, Beci Orpin & Hilary Walker

‘Monster Party’
by the children of the Rawa Community School, Jane Godwin & Alison Lester
‘Puddle Hunters’
by Kirsty Murray & Karen Blair (Full review here)

‘Time for Bed Miyuki’
by Roxane Marie Galliez & Seng Soun Ratanavanh

‘Wait!’
by Beck Stanton & Matt Stanton (and others in the ‘Books That Drive Kids Crazy series)

‘Want to Play Trucks?’
by Ann Stott. Illustrated by Bob Graham (Full review here)
‘Another Book About Bears’
by Laura & Philip Bunting
‘Monsters’
by Anna Fienberg. Illustrated by Kim Gamble & Stephen Axelsen (Full review here)
'Errol'
by Zanni Louise. Illustrated by Philip Bunting

‘The Last Peach’
by Gus Gordon
‘My Dog Bigsy’
by Alison Lester

‘Cheeky Monkey’
by Andrew Daddo & Emma Quay
‘It’s Bedtime, William’
by Deborah Niland

‘The Game of Finger Worms’
by Herve Tullet
‘I’m a Hungry Dinosaur’
by Janeen Brian & Ann James

‘I Do Not Like Books Anymore’
by Daisy Hirst
‘Rock Pool Secrets’
by Narelle Oliver

‘Do Not Lick this Book’
by Idan Ben-Barak & Julian Frost
‘The Cleo Stories’
by Libby Gleeson & Freya Blackwood